Liverpool are reportedly weighing up their options concerning Georginio Wijnaldum amid uncertainty over his future at Anfield.
According to a report by David Ornstein of The Athletic, Liverpool are in danger of losing first-team star Georginio Wijnaldum as his contract winds down. The Dutch international has a little under 18 months left on his deal with the Merseyside club, who are open to the idea of either tying him to a new contract or letting him leave for free.
Wijnaldum joined Liverpool from Newcastle United in the summer of 2017 and immediately established himself as one of the key players in midfield for the Reds. Over the last couple of years, the Dutch midfielder has only grown in stature and was one of the ever-presents when Liverpool won the UEFA Champions League in May last year.
Wijnaldum has remained a mainstay in midfield all through the current season, playing a key role for Liverpool as they look poised to win the Premier League title for the very first time. However, the Reds are now in a bit of a soup, with the 29-year-old having around 18 months left on his current deal.
While Liverpool have been busy tying several first-team stars to new contracts, including Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain back in August, Wijnaldum is not one of the players who has received an offer to commit his long-term future to the Merseyside club.
Liverpool, though, are open to the idea of offering better terms to Wijnaldum, although they are also willing to let the player leave on a free transfer when his contract runs out in the summer of 2021. Ornstein has also specified that there are clubs in Italy and Spain that want to sign him next summer.
However, Liverpool are unlikely to cash in on Wijnaldum, as they intend to keep him at least for the duration of his current deal. If they do let Wijnaldum leave for free in 18 months’ time, Liverpool will likely need to scour a replacement, considering Adam Lallana has been linked with an exit and James Milner is in the twilight of his career.
For now, Liverpool are in a bit of a predicament over the future of Wijnaldum, with little progress surrounding a possible renewal. It remains to be seen how things develop in the coming months as speculation over the Dutchman’s future grows.
